updated 03:45 pm EDT, Tue September 9, 2008

Toshiba 240GB Mini Drive

Quickly following the launch of Apple's 120GB iPod classic and a matching Zune, Toshiba this afternoon announced the MK2431GAH, the first-ever 240GB 1.8-inch rotating hard drive. The disk holds the extra 80GB over the previous record-setting 160GB disks but also spins faster, rotating at 4,200RPM versus the 3,600RPM of most large drives in the class; this helps with video and other very disk-intensive apps on portable devices, the company says.

In spite of the increased areal density, the 240GB disk also consumes less power at 20 percent less during active transfers and 33 percent overall. A larger 8MB cache is also new and gives the drive enough temporary space to perform the same duty as a computer hard disk.

Unlike some announcements, Toshiba plans a quick launch and says there will be shipping portable media players, camcorders, and other home electronics carrying the MK2431GAH in time for the holidays. The company doesn't name customers, though Apple and other device makers regularly draw on Toshiba for these hard drives.

Considering the sales numbers for the 160 GB iPod were apparently lackluster, why would Apple think anyone would be more interested in a 240 GB model? Especially since the price on this new HD would most likely make it hard for Apple to keep the price of the iPod Classic to something reasonable.

I think Paul has it right. I can see a new redesigned, slimmer MacBook using these drives. Currently, the MacBook line offers 120, 160 and 250 GB options. These smaller drives essentially meeting the same overall capacity would allow Apple to slim down the height of the MacBook. THAT I would like to see, more than an iPod using them.